The NFL’s one-year experiment with the new kickoff rule becomes permanent this season with a new tweak that the league hopes will lead to a bigger increase in the rate of returns.
The league also approved changes to the overtime rule, expanded replay assist and made a few other technical changes for this season that will first be on display starting with the exhibition opener Thursday night between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers.
The league experimented with the so-called dynamic kickoff in 2024 in hopes of more returns while also making the play safer. Owners voted in April to make the change permanent while moving touchbacks on kicks that reach the end zone on the fly from the 30 to the 35, which is expected to lead to more kicks in play and more returns.
There was no change in the tush push play that Philadelphia used so successfully on the way to winning the Super Bowl last season.
Here’s an explanation of some of the new rules that will be in place.
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